Pasco County Background Check

Pasco County background check records can be found through the Clerk of Court in Dade City and through state sources like FDLE. The county spans the Gulf Coast north of Tampa and has seen fast growth in the past two decades. Court records, criminal filings, and other public documents are held at the Pasco County courthouse. You can search these records in person at the clerk's office or use online tools. FDLE also runs statewide criminal history checks that cover Pasco County arrests and charges filed anywhere in Florida.

Pasco County Clerk of Court

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is the Pasco County Clerk of Court. Her office handles all court records for the county. This includes criminal case files, civil suits, probate, and traffic records. The main clerk office is at 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Suite 205, in Dade City. Walk-ins are welcome during weekday hours. You can call (727) 847-8199 to ask about records or check if a file is ready.

The Pasco County Clerk runs an online portal at pascoclerk.com where you can search court case records. Type in a name or case number and the system pulls up matching files. You can see the case type, filing date, and current status. This works for criminal, civil, and family law cases in Pasco County. The search tool is free to use, which makes it a good first step for any background check. Full document copies may need an in-person visit or a written request to the clerk.

Below is the Pasco County Clerk website showing their online search tools and case lookup portal.

Use this portal to look up court cases and check filing status in Pasco County.

Note: Pasco County has branch offices in New Port Richey and Land O' Lakes that can also help with record requests.

How to Search Pasco County Background Check Records

There are a few ways to run a background check in Pasco County. The clerk's online system lets you search court cases from home. FDLE offers statewide checks. And the courthouse in Dade City provides walk-in access to records. Each source gives you different data, so many people use more than one.

At the courthouse, bring a valid ID and ask the clerk staff to look up a name. They can search their system and print case records for you. The Pasco County clerk keeps records of all criminal cases filed in the county, plus civil cases and family law matters. You can also use the MyFloridaCounty portal to search official records like liens, judgments, and recorded documents. This is a state-run tool that covers all 67 Florida counties, including Pasco.

For a statewide criminal history check, go to CCHInet on the FDLE site. This runs a name-based search through the state criminal database. It costs $24 per search. Results come back within 24 hours in most cases. This pulls arrest data, charges, and case outcomes from across the state. If someone has a record in Pasco County or any other Florida county, it should show up in the FDLE results.

Under Florida Chapter 119, all public records are open for anyone to view. You don't need to live in Pasco County. You don't need to say why you want the records. The law says the clerk must give you access to any record that is not sealed or exempt.

Pasco County Background Check Costs

What you pay for a background check in Pasco County depends on the type of check and where you get it. FDLE charges a flat $24 for a name-based criminal history search. This is the same fee for every county. You pay on the FDLE criminal history records page.

At the Pasco County clerk's office, you can search cases online for free. But copies cost money. Plain copies run $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. If you need a certified copy of a court document for legal purposes, the clerk can print it while you wait. Some filings may have extra fees attached.

• FDLE state check (Level 1): $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Note: Level 2 fingerprint-based checks cost more and vary based on the requesting agency or purpose.

Types of Background Checks in Pasco County

Florida law sets up two main levels. Level 1 is a name-based check. You submit a name to FDLE and they search the state criminal database. Results are fast. This covers arrests, charges, and outcomes. It is the most common type of check in Pasco County and across the state.

Level 2 is more thorough. It requires fingerprints. The data runs through both FDLE and the FBI national database. This is required under Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes for people in roles that involve trust or care. You must go to an approved LiveScan provider to get printed. Several of these are in the Pasco County area. Results take a few days to come back.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program. This stands for Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Under Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes, approved groups can use VECHS to check criminal records. It is set up for groups that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Not everyone can use it. Only pre-approved organizations have access in Pasco County.

Public Records Laws and Pasco County

Florida's Sunshine Law makes most records public. This is one of the strongest open records laws in the country. The Attorney General's Open Government page has details on how the law works and what your rights are. If a Pasco County office refuses to share records, the AG's office can help you sort it out.

Court records in Pasco County are public unless a judge has sealed them. Arrest records are public. Most government files are public. There are some exceptions. Records involving minors are often sealed. Mental health records have extra protections. Expunged records are removed from public view. But the vast majority of files at the Pasco County courthouse are open to anyone who asks.

Getting Copies of Pasco County Records

To get copies of court records, visit the Pasco County Clerk office in Dade City. Bring a valid ID and tell the staff what you need. They can pull the case file and print copies for you. Pay the copy fee at the counter. You can also use the Find a Clerk directory to confirm address and hours before you go.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter with the full name, date of birth if you know it, and what kind of record you want. Include a check for the expected fees. The Pasco County clerk will mail back copies. For FDLE records, use the online portal. Submit your request at CCHInet and pay with a credit card. Results come by email. This is the fastest way to get statewide criminal history data.

Note: Not all records can be sent by mail from Pasco County, so call first to check what is available for your request.

Cities in Pasco County

Pasco County has several cities and communities. All court records for these areas go through the Pasco County Clerk of Court in Dade City. No matter which city a person lives in, the same courthouse handles the filings.

Communities in Pasco County include New Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Hudson, and Holiday. Court records for all of these areas are kept by the Pasco County clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Pasco County. If you need records from a different area, each county has its own clerk office and court system.